Dan Carter and Racing 92 team-mates cleared after doping allegations
Monday 3 April 2017 14:29, UK
Dan Carter and two Racing 92 team-mates have been definitively cleared of wrongdoing following a doping probe, the French club announced on Monday.
Carter, the former All Blacks fly-half who retired from international action after winning the 2015 World Cup, Joe Rokococo and Juan Imhoff were investigated after testing positive for corticosteroids following last season's Top 14 final.
They had initially been cleared of wrongdoing by the medical commission of the French Rugby Federation in October 2016.
The French Anti-doping Agency's announcement, confirmed by Racing 92 today, now brings the affair to a close.
"We are delighted with the decision rendered by the French Anti-doping Agency," said Racing in a statement.
"This whole pseudo-affair has cast scorn on our players and our club, partly ruining the start of our season.
"The innocence of Dan, Juan and Joe merits the same degree of attention as the suspicions they had been placed under."
The original dope tests, ordered by the French anti-doping agency (AFLD), found traces of corticosteroids, which can be used as a painkiller.
The substance is illegal when taken orally or injected in either the blood or muscle, unless accompanied by a Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE).
Racing had always denied any wrongdoing, saying the substance was administered by an "authorised method" several days before last June's Top 14 final - where Racing beat Toulon in Barcelona - and there was no need for a TUE.
On Monday, Carter was also named as the latest member of the Rugby Players' Association Hall of Fame, joining an illustrious list including Jonny Wilkinson, Martin Johnson and Brian O'Driscoll.
